Apparatus for coiling



Feb. 7,- 1956 T. T. BUNCH APPARATUS FOR comm; FILAMENTARY MATERIALS Filed Oct. 18, 1951' I79 H /70 m i 1 I 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR 7: I BUNCH ATTORNEY T. T. BUNCH APPARATUS FOR COILING FILAMENTARY MATERIALS Filed Oct. 18, 1951 Feb. 7, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 //v VEN TOR 7T 7'. BUNCH ATTORNEY Feb. 7, E956 T. T. BUNCH 2,733,869

APPARATUS FOR COILING FILAMENTARY MATERIALS Filed OOL. 18, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 T. 7? BUNCH ATTORNEY Feb, Y, 1956 T. T. BUNCH 33, 69

APPARATUS FOR COILING FILAMENTARY MATERIALS Filed Oct. 18, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 m b1 94 g I x f 9 2 l v I I I 1 ,4 ,6 .8 L0 L2 L4 L6 L8 2.0

SPEED FIG. 6

JET-VENTURI PUMP JII FIG. 5

INVENTOR 7'. T. BUNCH A T TORNE Y United States Patent APPARATUS FOR COILING FILAMENTARY MATERIALS Tillman T. Bunch, near Ashland, Md., assignor to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application {)ctober 18, 1951, Serial No. 251,968

14 Claims. (Cl. 242-25) This invention pertains to apparatus for coiling filamentary materials, and more particularly to apparatus for coiling filamentary materials upon a multisectioned coiling head or other reeling device.

Many coiling operations involve the use of multisection coiling heads. These coiling heads are made up of several coiling sections upon which a continuous length of wire or other filamentary material is Wound sequentially. This type of coiling head necessitates the use of a distributing means which will automatically index, when a section has been filled with a predetermined length of wire, from a position guiding a strand on said section to a position guiding the strand to an adjacent empty section.

Since the point at which the strand is applied on an empty section is nearer the center of rotation of the section than is alike point on a full section, for equalstrand velocities the rotational velocity of an empty section should be greater than the rotational velocity of a full section if a positive take-up tension is to be maintained. Therefore, the transfer of a strand from a loaded section to an empty section requires an acceleration of a driving means for the coiling head to increase the rotational velocity of the empty section.

It is an object of this invention to provide new and improved apparatus for coiling filamentary articles.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus for coiling filamentary articles upon a multisectioned coiling head or other reeling device.

An apparatus illustrating certain features of the invention may include a coiling head, means for rotating the coiling head, guide means for guiding filamentary material to the head and hydraulically operated means for reciprocating the guide means to distribute the material evenly upon the coiling head.

Further objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a top plan view of. an apparatus embodying a preferred form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross section taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the fluid system for the apparatus;

. Fig. 4 is a vertical cross section taken along the longitudinal axis of a jet-venturi pump forming a part of the apparatus;

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a driving means for the apparatus, and

Fig. 6 illustrates the power characteristic curves of the driving means. t

A multisection coiling head 10 (Fig. 1) is driven by a hydraulic motor 11. The coiling head 10 is made up of individual coiling sections 12-12, which are nested upon a coiling arbor 15 and held thereupon by a suitable latching means 16.

A supply capstan 20, driven by an electric motor 21,

supplies a strand 18 from a supply source (not shown) to one of the coiling sections 12-12. Guide sheaves 23-23 are engaged by the strand at a point intermediate of the capstan 20 and coiling section. The sheaves 23-23 are rotatably mounted in tandem upon reciprocating rods 25-25 of a stepping and distributing apparatus 26.

The stepping and distributing apparatus 26 is shown in greater detail in Fig. 2, and includes a hydraulic cylinder 29 supported by a bracket 30 secured to a platform 31. A piston 32 is slidably mounted within the cylinder 29 for reciprocating movement. A piston rod 33 attached to the piston 32 protrudes from both ends of the cylinder through leak-proof bushings 35-35, which prevent the escape of a hydraulic fluid under pressure, and hydraulic fluid ports 38-38 are provided at each end of the cylinder 29 for communication therewith.

Each of the guide sheaves 23-23 is rotatably mounted on the left-hand end of the reciprocating interconnected V rods 25-25, which are slidably retained in bearings 39-39. The bearings 39-39 are supported by upright members 40 and 41, fixedly secured to the platform 31. Slidably mounted on the reciprocating rods 25-25 and depending therefrom are a front hanger plate 42 and a rear hanger plate 43. Bearings 45-45 and 46-46 are provided on each of the plates 42 and 43 to facilitate their sliding engagement with the reciprocating rods 25-25.

A pneumatic cylinder 47 is fixedly secured at either end to the hanger plates 42 and 43, respectively. A piston 48 is slidably engaged within the pneumatic cylinder 47 for reciprocation of a piston rod 50, which extends through the left end of the cylinder and an aperture in the front hanger plate 42. The piston rod 50 abuts a similar piston rod 52, attached to a piston 53, which is slidably received for reciprocation within a pneumatic cylinder 54. Pneumatic supply ports 51-51 andbreath er ports 55-55 are provided at opposite ends of each of the cylinders 47 and 54.

The cylinder 54 is secured, at its left end, to a connecting plate 56, which is rigidly fixed to and depends from thereciprocating rods 25-25. Longitudinal movement of the cylinder 54 is transmitted to the rods 25-25 and guide sheaves 23-23, rotatably mounted thereupon.

A bias spring 58 secured at one end to an extension of the connecting plate 56 and at the other end to a lug 60 on the upright member 41, urges the plate 58 and the attached rods 25-25 to the right.

An extension 62 of the front hanger plate 42 is fastened to the threaded end of the piston rod 33 by a nut 63. Reciprocating of the piston rod 33 is transmitted by means of the plate 42 to the cylinder 47. The piston rod 52 of the cylinder 54 is operatively connected to the piston rod 50 by the pressure of bias spring 58 and, thereby, longitudinal movement of the piston rod 50 will be transmitted to the connecting plate 56 and the attached rods 25-25. 1

A pair of depending arms 65-65 are pivotally mounted on a baseplate 67, which is fixedly attached to the lower side of the cylinder 47. The arms 65-65 normally are held against stops 69-69, respectively, by an interconnecting tension spring 70. Spacedly'mounted on the platform 31 for cooperation with the arms 65-65 are a pair of detents 72-72. Pivotally mounted fingers 74-74 normally are held in a vertical position against stops 75-75 by springs 77-77, respectively.

Upon movement of the cylinder 47 to the left, the tip of the right arm 65 engages the right finger 74, which is prevented from rotating by the stop 75 and the arm 65 is pivoted in a counterclockwise direction against the force of the tension spring 70. Further movement of the cylinder 47 to the left causes the right arm to ride over the finger 74 and become disengaged. whereupon, the stretched spring causes the arm 65 to strike the end 81 of a spool with a force sufllcient to control a balanced spool, four-way valve 84 mounted on the platform 31'. In the same manner, a reversal of the direction of travel of the cylinder 47 causes the left arm 65 to ride over the left finger 74 and strike the end 85 of the spool 80 with a substantial force.

The pneumatic cylinders 47 and 54 and the hydraulic cylinder 29 are connected, respectively, to pneumatic and hydraulic systems shown schematically in Fig. 3 of the drawings. Air under pressure from a suitable supply (not-shown) is introduced to the pneumatic system at an inlet in a normally closed, solenoid operated, threeway valve 102. The valve 102 may be selectively operated to connect line 195 either to the inlet 108 or ex haust line 103. The line 105 is connected to the pneumatic supply port 51 on the cylinder 54 through a line 106 and a check valve 107. The line 105 is also connected through a check valve 110 and a normally closed two-way pilot valve 112, to the pneumatic supply port 51 on the cylinder 47.

A bleede'r line 114, joined to the line 106 at a point intermediate of the check valve 107 and port 51 on the cylinder 54, conducts the air which leaks through an orifice from the line 106 to a pilot 117 on the valve 112. A pilot line 120 connects the line 105 between the check valve 110 and the valve 102, to a pilot 122 on a normally closed two-way valve 124, which may be operated to permit the air in the line 114 to be exhausted to the atmosphere through a suitable delaying orifice (not shown).

A pilot line 128 supplies air under pressure, from a point on the line 105 between the valve 102 and the check valve 110, to a pilot 129 on a three-way normally closed valve 130. The valve 130 selectively connects cylinder to a suitable pneumatic supply (not shown) connected to an inlet 1312-01 to the exhaust line 103. A piston rod 160 in the pneumatic cylinder 135 is operatively connected to a piston in a hydraulic cylinder 162. The left end, of the cylinder .162 is connected to the motor feed line 164, in the fluid motor circuit, by the fluid line 165. A check valve 166 is inserted in the line 164 to prevent; fluid from backing up in the line. A. line 138 interconnects the ports 5151 on the cylinders 47 and 514' through a check valve 140. The port 51 on the cylinder-5'4; is connected by a line 142 to a normally closed-solenoid operated. valve 145, which may be operated to exhaust the air in line 142 to the atmosphere.

- A hydraulicpump 150, driven by means of a pulley and belt arrangement from. the fluid motor 11, pumps a hydraulic fluid from a fluid line to a fluid line 156. 1 115 51155 and 156-are connected to a pair of ports 1;5 7'5--157, respectively, in. the balanced spool, tour-way valve 84 fluidline-J SS and a fluid line 159 are Connected, respectively, to the port- 38 in the left end of the cylinder 29 and the port 38 in the right end of the cylinder. In addition, the ports 38-38 are interconnected by. a fluid line 160 which includes a two-way, normally closed solenoid valve 162. The direction of hydraulic fluidflow inthe fluid lines 158 and 159 depends on the positioji offthe spool 80 which is operated by. the arms se 65, in a manner previously described.

A schematic diagram of'a hydraulic drive for "the coiling head is included in Fig. 3. The drive system is designed to-drive the coiling head in such a manner that the wire tension remains substantially constant. In this drive a hydraulic fluid line 168 leads a hydraulic fluid from the fluidmotor -11 to a port-172 in a jet-venturi pump 170, shown in detail in Fig, 4'. A venturi'tube' 17 4 is ce'upled't'c the'mot'er feed line 164, and a jet 1'75 having-s smail orifice 1761s connected to a supply' line 177 from a constant-displacement hydraulic ump 1'79,

driven by the electric motor 21. Fluid is taken from the motor feed line 164 at the venturi tube 174 by a line 182, and fed back to the intake of the hydraulic pump 179.

The jet 175 is positioned concentrically within the jetventuri pump so that the fluid from the supply line 177 is discharged through the small orifice 176 into the venturi tube 174. In addition, the jet 175 is spaced from the walls of a mouth 183 in the venturi tube 174 to allow the fluid from the line 172 to be entrained by a high-velocity fluid stream delivered by the jet -175. Thefluid in the line 172 is accelerated prio'r'to meeting the jetflow through the pressure differential developed in the venturi,

An auxiliary hydraulic pump 185 supplies fluid from a reservoir 187 to make up gland leakage losses in the hydraulic system. Motor slippage likewise is compensated, since a portion of the fluid supplied is forced through the motor before being expelled from the system. The pump 185 is connected with the intake of the fluid pump 179 by a line 189. Gland leakage is returned to the auxiliar pump by means of leakage return lines 190-190 connected to drains 1925492 or the hydraulic pumps 150, 179, 180 and or the fluid motor 11. The discharge side of the fluid motor 11 is connected tof'the reservoir 187 through a pressure-release valve 195. The valve is set to open at a predetermined pressure to relieve excess pressure in the line 168, thereby maintain ing the desired supercharge pressure.

Operation The wire strand 18 is supplied to the coiling head 10 by the supply capstan 20. The strand 18 engages the sheaves 23-23,, which initially guide the strand 18 to the innermost of the-sections 12-42 of the coiling head 10. The head 10 is driven by the fluid motor 11 to coil the strand 18 thereupon as it is supplied by the capstan 20. During the coiling operation the sheaves 23-23 are reciprocated by the hydraulic cylinder 29 and the piston 32, which are operatively connected thereto, to distribute the strand 18 evenly upon the section 12 to which the strand is being directed.

It is assumed for the purposes of this discussion, that the coiling operation has already begun and that the innermost of the sections 12---12 has been nearly filled with a length of the wire strand 18-. A counter (not shown) energizes a suitable electrical circuit (not shown) when the predetermined length of wire strand 18 has been wound on the rotating section 12. After a time delay, the solenoid on the three-way valve 102 is energized to connect the inlet: 100 to the line 105, introducing a compressed air pulse to the cylinder 54 through the line 106, the check valve 107 and the supply port 51, which pulse is terminated when the counter de' energizes the electrical circuit. The initial pulse also actuates the pilot 1-22. to open the two-way valve 124 and exhaust any air in. the line 114,, preventing for the duration of the pulse any buildup of air pressurewhich otherwise would actuate the pilot 11-7 of the valve 112.

The introduction of the compressed air into thecylinder 54 forces it to the left, since the piston 53 and the attached piston rod 52 are prevented from moving to the right by thepiston rod 50. The cylinder 54 carries the plate 56 and the attached rods 2525 to the-left, stepping the sheaves 23- 23, which guide the strand 18, into a position opposite the intermediate coiling section- 12.

Simultaneously with the stepping operation," the aceeleration of thecoi-li'ng head 10 is accomplished.

The introduction of the initial pulse of compressed air into the line 105 actuates, through the linelZS, the pilot 129 on the three-way valve 130. The valve 130 admits compressed air from a supply port 132 to the'rig'ht hand endofzt he pneumatic cylinder 135. The influx hf'cornpressed "air forces the piston 'rod 160', whichris connected to a piston in the hydraulictluid cylinder "162; "to the left, introducing a surge of hydraulic fluid therefrom, into an acceleration of the motor 11 and the driven coiling head during transfer of the strand 18 from one section to another, thereby maintaining a positive take-up tension in the strand.

It is necessary to maintain an accurate control of the by the hydraulic cylinder 162. This control is obtained energy imparted to the fluid motor 11 during the acceleration period, otherwise, there would be a danger of breaking the strand 18 if the energy imparted is too great. There is also the danger of not maintaining a positive take-up tension if the energy imparted to the motor 11 is insufficient. The accelerating system described in this invention afiords accurate control of the energy imparted by adjusting either the stroke of the piston rod 160 or the air pressure of the pneumatic supply admitted to the cylinder 135.

As previously stated, the fluid in the line 164 is prevented from backing up during the fluid surge by the check valve 166. After the acceleration period, the cylinder 135 is again connected to the exhaust line 183 by the valve 130, and hydraulic fluid under pressure in the line 164 is allowed to refill the cylinder 162, preparing it for a subsequent stepping operation.

The hydraulic pump 150, driven continuously by the motor 11, supplies fluid to the hydraulic cylinder 29 for operating the strand distributing means. The valve 84, operated by the arms 65-65, alternately reverses the direction of fluid flow in the lines 158 and 159, which supply, respectively, the left and right ends of the cylinder 29 through the ports 38-38.

The periodic reversal of flow causes a reciprocation of the piston 32 and the attached piston rod 33, which is transmitted by means of the hanger plate 42 to the pneumatic cylinder 47. The leftward movement of the cylinder 47, which urges the cylinder 54 and sheaves 23-23, operatively connected thereto, in the same direction, continues until the right arm 65 strikes the spool 80 on the valve 84 to reverse the direction of travel. Thereupon, the cylinder 47 moves to the right, the cylinder 54 and the sheaves 23-23 being returned to the right by the stretched bias spring 58, until the left arm 65 operates the valve 84. The left arm 65 is shown in Fig. 3 after operating the actuator 80 to reverse the direction of travel. Throughout the coiling operation the cylinder 29 and its piston 32 actuate the rods -25 to cause reciprocation of the sheaves 23-23 in order to lay the strand 18 evenly upon the sections 12-12 in successive layers.

It will be noted that the pump 150 is driven by the mo tor 11, which also drives the coiling head 10. Therefore, any increase in the speed of the coiling head will cause a commensurate increase in the rate at which the strand 18 is distributed upon a section 12.

In order that the distribution of the strand 18 may begin at the innermost edge of a coiling section 12, the solenoid on the normally closed valve 162 is energized simultaneously with the energization of the solenoid on valve 102. This action permits any fluid remaining in the right end of cylinder 29 to be emptied into the left end thereof through the valve 162 and line 160. The piston 32 and the piston rod 33 are urged to the extreme righthand position, as shown schematically in Fig. 3, by the bias spring 58. With the rod 33 in the extreme right-hand position, the sheaves 23-23 will be opposite the innermost edge of an adjacent section 12 immediately after the stepping operation occurs.

After passage of the initial compressed air pulse, the air in the pilot 122 of valve 124 is exhausted through the valve 102 and the valve 124 recloses, disconnecting the lines 125 and 114 from the exhaust. Thereafter, a small amount of compressed air from the cylinder 54 is bled through a needle-valve orifice 115 and the line 114 to the pilot 117. The pilot 117 actuates valve 112 to connect the line 105 with a supply port 51 on pneumatic cylinder 47.

When the intermediate section 12 has been filled with the predetermined length of strand 18, the counter causes the electrical circuit (not shown) to repeat the actions described when the previous section hadbeen filled, in-

cluding actuation of the solenoid operated valve 102. A

second pulse of compressed air is introduced to the line from the inlet 100 and is supplied to the cylinder 47, through the now open valve 112, forcing the piston 48 and the piston rod 50 to the left. This in turn moves the cylinder 54 to the left, carrying with it the slidably mounted rods 25-25 and attached sheaves 23-23. The strand 18 is thereby transferred from the intermediate section 12 to an end section 12 for continuing the coiling operation.

Simultaneously, the rotation of the coiling head is accelerated to compensate for the reduction in radius from full section to empty section and to maintain a positive strand tension. This is accomplished by actuating the valve in the manner previously described, to admit compressed air to the cylinder 135, which causes a surge of hydraulic fluid to be delivered to the fluid motor 11.

When the end section 12 is full, the counter operates another electrical circuit (not shown) to stop the rotation of capstan 20 and the supply of strand 18 to the coiling head 10, thereby causing the latter to stop. Simultaneously, the solenoid on valve is operated to conmeet the line 142 to an atmospheric exhaust. Thereupon, the air in the cylinders 47 and 54 is dumped, allowing the stretched bias spring 56 to return the sheaves 23-23 to a position opposite the innermost of the coiling sections. The valve 145 closes after a short period of time.

When the end section 12 is full, the solenoid on the normally closed valve 162 also is energized simultaneously with the solenoid on the valve 145, allowing any fluid in the right end of the cylinder 29 to be evacuated and transferred to the left end via the line 160. This causes the piston rod 33 to occupy the extreme right hand position and, thereby, places the sheaves 23-23 in a position opposite the inner edge of the coiling section. The sheaves 23-23 are now in position for the start of a new coiling operation to fill an empty coiling head in the manner heretofore described.

The hydraulic drive system for the coiling head 10, shown schematically in Fig. 5, is capable of delivering a substantially constant horsepower to the coiling arbor 15. Disregarding changes in bearing friction, it is essential that a constant horsepower be supplied to the arbor in order to maintain a constant take-up tension when the rate at which the strand is supplied is constant.

The constant displacement fluid pump 179 is driven continuously by an electric motor 21, and supplies a constant volume flow I (Fig. 5) under such pressure as is required to maintain the flow through the line 177 to the jet 170. The jet orifice imparts to the constant volume flow J a constant velocity head so that it then possesses constant power in the form of kinetic energy.

A flow K (Fig. 5) leaving the motor 11 is conducted to a port 172 in the jet-venturi pump 170, wherein it is entrained in the venturi tube mouth 178 by the jet flow J. The jet flow J imparts momentum to the entrained stream and develops a combined velocity head, which is converted into a pressure head by the venturi tube 174. The combined flow (]+K) is discharged by the venturi tube 174 into the motor feed line 164. However, before entering the motor 11, the flow J is withdrawn by the line 182 and recirculated through the pump 179. The remaining flow K is conducted to the intake of the fluid motor 11, where its pressure head is converted into mechanical energy. The flow K is then discharged into the line 168 to be recirculated by the jet-venturi pump 170.

Based on the design characteristics of our working model, a theoretical power characteristic curve A-A, plotting power speed is shown in Fig. 6.

-7 The derived mathematical relationship between the" two flows K'a'nd J canbe expressed by the following equation:

Where:

' It is apparent from a power characteristic curve A-'-A (Fig. 6) of this drive system that for operation in the region of maximum horsepower there are extremely small changes in power with large changes in speed. This re sults in a substantially constant horsepower output (neglecting small losses in the motor 11) to the coiling head 10. It will be noted that the variation in horsepower for a speed change ratios of 1:15 is approximately 2% in the region of the maximum horsepower output of the working model (Fig. 6, curve A-A).

An idealized power characteristic curve B-B (Fig. 6) neglecting the design constants C1, C2 and f has been plotted to the same coordinate scale as the curve A-'-A. It'is possible by selecting proper values for the constants C1, C2, f, E and J to obtain a relation that approaches the following equation:

where the eitect of the s'econd'term in the'precise mathe= matical equation is small enough to be neglected; The curve B-B is much flatter than the curve A'--A drawn for the particular constants ofthe working model.

Another adaptation of this system might operate withina speed range where the slope of the'power characteristic curve is principally negative. This would allow coinpensation for any increased bearing friction caused byv the increased weight of a loaded reel. Likewise,- the system might be made to operate within the speed range where the slope of the power characteristic curve is principally positive.

As previously described, the auxiliary pump 185 supplies a predetermined amount of fluid to augment the flow supplied from the venturi 17 4, which has been designated as the combined flow K and J, in order to compensate for fluid losses by leakage in the glands of pumps anamotors and slippage past the operating; elements of the motor. As a result, the flow delivered to the motor 11 is sometimes considerably greater than K to allow for losses.

It will be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment herein described, but may be incorporated in various modifications 'within' the spirit and scope of said invention.

What is claimedis: a d

1. An apparatus for distributing filamentary articles upon a multisection coiling head, which comprises means for driving the-head, guide means for guiding a filamem tary article to a particular section onthe coiling head, means for indexing the guide means to a position for guidingthe article to another section, and means actuated simultaneously with the indexing operation of thelastmentioned means to accelerate the coiling head to maintain a positive take-up tension.

2. An apparatus for coiling filamentary materials, which comprises a rotatable, multisection coiling head, driving means for rotating said coiling head, guide means, for directing a filamentary material to the coiling head, means for reciprocating the guide means to insure an even distribution of said article upon a section, stepping means for effecting relative movement be tween the coiling head and guide means to transfer a coiling operation from a full section to an empty section, and means actuated in cooperation with the stepping means to accelerate the driving means to maintain a positive take-up tension on the article during transfer operation.

3. An apparatus for coiling filamentary materials, which comprises a rotatable, multisection coiling head, a hydraulic motor for driving said coiling head, guide means for directing materials to the coiling head, fluid actuated means for reciprocating the guide means to insure an even distribution of said article upon a section, stepping means for indexing the guide means from a position opposite a full section to a position opposite an empty section, and means for injecting an increased amount of fluid flow into the hydraulic motor simultaneously with the indexing operation to cause an acceleration of said motor and connected coiling head.

4. A stepping and distributing apparatus for sequentially guiding filamentary materials to the sections of a multisection coiling head, which comprises guide means for directing material to a particular section, a primary. piston-containing, fluid actuated cylinder operatively connected to the guide means, a secondary piston-containing, fluid actuated cylinder operatively connected to the piston of the primary cylinder, means for introducing a fluid supply to the primary cylinder when a predeterminedamountof material has been coiled upon a section to move the primary cylinder and connected guide means into a position for directing the material upon an adjacent empty section, and means for introducing a fluid supply to the secondary cylinder after a predetermined amount oi material has been coiled upon said adjacent section, whereby the piston in said secondary cylinder is operated to move the primary cylinder and connected guide means to a new position opposite the next empty section of the coiling head.

5. A stepping and distributing apparatus for sequentially guiding filamentary materials to sections of a multisection coiling head, which comprises a guide means for directing the material to a particular section, a primary piston-containing, fluid actuated cylinder operatively connected to the guide means, a secondary pistoncontaining, fluid actuated cylinder operatively connected to the piston of the primary cylinder, means for introducing a fluid supply to the primary cylinder when a predetermined amount of material has been coiled upon a section to move the primary cylinder and connected guide means to direct the filamentary material to an adjacent empty section, means for introducing a fluid supplyv to thesecondary cylinder after a predeterminedamount of material has been coiled upon said adjacent section whereby the piston in said secondary cylinder is operated to move the primary cylinder and connected guide means to a new position opposite the next empty section of the coiling head, and a fluid actuated distributor operatively connected to the guide means for reciprocation thereof to insure an evenly spaced distribution of the material on a particular coiling section.

6. In a fluid system, a fluid supply, a primary pistoncontaining, fluid actuated cylinder connected to the supply, a secondary piston-containing, fluid actuated cylinder connected to the supply, means for introducing an amount of fluid from the supply into the primary cylinder for operation thereof, a pilot valve for preventing the fluid from actuating the secondary cylinder, means for bleeding fluid from the primary cylinderto actuate the pilot valve after a time delay, means for introducinga second amount of fluid from the supply through the actuated pilot valve into the secondary cylinder for operation thereof, a fluid operated motor, an auxiliary fluid supply, a tertiary piston-containing, fluid actuated cylinder, means actuated by the piston in the tertiary cylinder for injecting the auxiliary fluid supply into the motor to cause an acceleration of said motor, a second pilot valve, means for actuating the second pilot valve each time fluid is supplied to the primary or secondary cylinder, means for introducing the fluid supply into the tertiary cylinder when the second pilot valve is actuated, thereby operating the piston in said tertiary cylinder to cause acceleration of the motor, and means for exhausting the fluid from tertiary cylinder after the motor has been accelerated.

7. An apparatus for coiling filamentary materials, which comprises a coiling head, a hydraulic motor for driving the coiling head, guide means for guiding filamentary material to a portion of the head, stepping means for indexing the guide means to a position for guiding the article to another portion of the head, and means for accelerating the hydraulic motor during the indexing period.

8. An apparatus for coiling filamentary materials, which comprises a coiling head, a hydraulic motor for driving the coiling head, guide means for guiding filamentary material'to a portion of the head, stepping means for indexing the guide means to a position for guiding the article to another portion of the head, and means for introducing a fluid surge into the motor to cause an acceleration thereof during the indexing period.

9. A stepping and distributing apparatus, which comprises a frame, a guide assembly slidably mounted on the frame, a primary piston-containing, fluid actuated cylinder operatively connected to the guide assembly for longitudinal movement thereof, a secondary piston-containing, fluid actuated cylinder mounted on the frame and operatively connected to the piston of said primary cylinder, means for introducing an amount of fluid to the primary cylinder to cause it to move longitudinally away from the secondary cylinder, thereby indexing the guide assembly to a new position, means for introducing a second amount of fluid to the secondary cylinder to cause the piston of said secondary cylinder to move the primary cylinder and attached guide assembly to another position.

10. A stepping and distributing apparatus, which comprises a frame, a guide assembly slidably mounted on the frame, a primary piston-containing, fluid actuated cylinder operatively connected to the guide assembly for longitudinal movement thereof, a secondary piston-containing, fluid actuated cylinder slidably mounted on said assembly and operatively connected to the piston of said primary cylinder, a tertiary double-acting, piston-containing, fluid actuated cylinder fixedly mounted upon the frame, means operatively connecting secondary cylinder to the piston of the tertiary cylinder, means for introducing an amount of fluid to the primary cylinder to cause it to move longi tudinally away from the secondary cylinder, thereby indexing the guide assembly to a new position, means for introducing a second amount of fluid to the secondary cylinder to cause the piston of said secondary cylinder to move the primary cylinder and attached guide assembly to another position, and means for actuating the tertiary cylinder to reciprocate the piston thereof and thereby cause reciprocation of the secondary cylinder, the primary cylinder and the guide assembly.

11. In an apparatus for coiling filamentary materials including a rotatable, multi-section coiling head and a motor for driving said coiling head, an improved stepping and distributing apparatus for sequentially guiding 'fila mentary materials to the sections of the coiling head, which comprises guide means for directing material to a particular section, a fluid supply, a primary pistoncontaining, fluid actuated cylinder operatively connected to the guide means, a secondary piston-containing, fluid actuated cylinder operatively connected to the piston of the primary cylinder, an inlet valve operable when a predetermined amount of material has been coiled upon a section for introducing an amount of fluid from the supply into the primary cylinder to move the guide means into a position for directing the material to an adjacent empty section, a pilot valve for preventing the fluid from entering the secondary cylinder, and means for bleeding fluid from the primary cylinder to actuate the pilot valve after a time delay, whereby when the inlet valve is again actuated fluid from the supply is introduced into the secondary cylinder for operation thereof to move the guide means so as to direct the material to another adjacent section.

12. In an apparatus for coiling filamentary materials including a rotatable, multi-section coiling head and a fluid operated motor for driving said coiling head, an improved stepping and distributing apparatus for sequentially guiding filamentary materials to the sections of the coiling head, which comprises guide means for directing material to a particular section, a fluid supply, a primary piston-containing, fluid actuated cylinder operatively connected to the guide means, a secondary pistoncontaining, fluid actuated cylinder operatively connected to the piston of the primary cylinder, an inlet valve operable when a predetermined amount of material has been coiled upon a section for introducing an amount of fluid from the supply into the primary cylinder to move the guide means into a position for directing the material to an adjacent empty section, a pilot valve for preventing the fluid from entering the secondary cylinder, means for bleeding fluid from the primary cylinder to actuate the pilot valve after a time delay, whereby when the inlet valve is again actuated fluid from the supply is introduced into the secondary cylinder for operation thereof to move the guide means so as to direct the material to another adjacent section, an auxiliary fluid supply, a tertiary piston-containing, fluid actuated cylinder, means actuated by the piston in the tertiary cylinder for injecting the auxiliary fluid supply into the motor to cause an acceleration of said motor, a second pilot valve, means for actuating the second pilot valve each time fluid is supplied to the primary or secondary cylinder, means for introducing fluid from the auxiliary fluid supply into the tertiary cylinder when the second pilot valve is actuated, thereby operating the piston in said tertiary cylinder to cause acceleration of the motor.

13. An apparatus for coiling filamentary material, which comprises a multisection coiling head, a fluid operated motor for driving the coiling head rotatably, means for supplying fluid to the motor to operate the same at a substantially constant power output, guide means for guiding the material to a first section of the coiling head whereby it is coiled thereupon, stepping means actuatable for indexing the guide means relative to the coiling head to a position for guiding the material to a second section, means for reciprocating the guide means to insure an even distribution of said material upon a section, and means actuated simultaneously with the stepping means to accelerate the motor momentarily during the indexing operation to maintain a positive takeup tension on the filamentary material.

14. An apparatus for coiling filamentary material, which comprises a multisection coiling head, a fluid operated motor for driving the coiling head rotatably, means for supplying fluid to the motor to operate the same at a substantially constant power output, guide means for guiding the material to a first section of the coiling head whereby it is coiled thereupon, stepping means actuatable 11 for indexing the; guide mean'srelativqto the coiling head to a position 101- guiding. the material to a second secnon, mh'n's f or geciprobating th guide means to insure 1111'even 11511101111on of "said material upon a section, and means for' i'njegting an, incroased amount of fluid into fli'omotorj simultaneously with the indexing operation to momenmi-iy ac'celefat the motor 'and ceiling head driven thereby.

R eferenes Cited in "the file of this patent UNiTED STATES PATENTS De'ar' 1 May 26, 1931 Gnavi 1 Sept. 20, 1938 1.2 Bretschneidcr Feb. 13, 1940 Bgrrett 1 June 1, 1943 Cook -2 July 15,. 1947 Waite. A'I'Ig. 3', 1948 Iornb'erg Fgh. '15, 1949 Tyler May 15, 1951 Gie'sey July 10; 1951 Detrez -1. Feb; 19, 1952 L vers et a1.- Apr. 15, 1952 Rinehan May 20, 1952 Dra'gd Dec. 123, 1952 HysIop, Sr. May 5, 1953 

